UEFA's Champions League league-phase draw takes place on Thursday 27 August at 5:00pm WAT. The field contains 36 clubs: 29 automatic qualifiers and seven play-off winners.
The competition no longer uses eight traditional four-team groups. Instead, the draw builds each club's league-phase schedule within one 36-team table. The opening matches begin on 8 September.
The useful draw-night questions are schedule strength, travel and sequencing. Two clubs may receive similar opponents, but consecutive away matches or an early run against elite teams can change the pressure.
PitchNaija will wait for UEFA's completed draw before publishing any club schedule. A simulated pairing, leaked graphic or fan-made list is not confirmation.
